(AGENPARL) – mar 12 aprile 2022 You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
04/11/2022 10:49 AM EDT
Ned Price, Department Spokesperson
The U.S. Department of State has publicly designated former Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Nikola Gruevski and former Director of the Department for Security and Counterintelligence (UBK) Sasho Mijalkov as well as Gordana Tadi? of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the chief prosecutor’s office. We have taken these actions in response to these former officials’ involvement in significant corruption. Their actions undermined the rule of law, democratic institutions, and public processes in both countries and eroded the public’s faith in their governments.
In his official capacity as prime minister, Gruevski was involved in corrupt acts that included using his political influence and official power for personal benefit. Specifically, there is credible information that Gruevski abused the power of his office to solicit and accept bribes in return for government contracts, misappropriated public funds, and interfered in electoral processes to benefit himself and his party politically.
In his official capacity as Director of the UBK, Mijalkov was involved in corrupt acts that included using his political influence and official power for personal benefit. Specifically, there is credible information that Mijalkov abused the power of his office to solicit bribes in return for government contracts and interfered in electoral processes to benefit himself and his party politically.
In her official capacity as chief prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gordana Tadi? used her influence to interfere with judicial processes. Specifically, there is credible information that Tadi? manipulated cases to protect political patrons from prosecution and failed to assign cases to prosecutors through an automated case distribution system designed to prevent prosecutor assignment decisions based on personal or political reasons.
These designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022. In addition to Gruevski, Mijalkov and Tadi?, the Department of State is also designating their immediate family members under 7031(c). This action renders Gruevski, Mijalkov, Tadi? and their immediate family members ineligible for entry into the United States.
Together, these designations reaffirm the U.S. commitment to supporting the rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions of the Republic of North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Department will continue to use authorities like this to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally.
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